Gala Awards Dinner

Thursday, 6th November 

19.00 for 19.30 until 01.00

Gala Awards Dinner + Irish Ceilidh at Europa Hotel 

Held in conjunction with the Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship Conference. An optional extra for ISBC and ISBE delegates. See Registration page.

Delegates and guests are assured of a traditional Irish Dinner together with an “Oscar-style” Awards Ceremony in real comfort and then an Irish Ceilidh until the small hours!

Venue: Grand Ballroom, Europa Hotel, Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7AP

Superbly located in the heart of Belfast City Centre, the world famous 4 star Europa Hotel simply epitomizes indulgence. Having recently undergone major refurbishment the hotel boasts 240 exquisite rooms, making it one of Northern Ireland’s largest and most luxurious hotels and the preferred choice of Prime Ministers, Presidents and many celebrities on their visits to Belfast.

The Grand Ballroom is one of Northern Ireland’s largest function rooms with a banqueting capacity of 550 - so book early to ensure a place at this spectacular event.

Dress Code: Business Attire.

Host: Prof Ken O’Neill, Chair in Entrepreneurship & SME Development, University of Ulster Business School, Northern Ireland.

Members Reception: 19.00-19.30 in the Exhibition Centre on the ground floor.

VIP Reception: 19.00-19.30 in Library Bar on the mezzanine level (By invitation only)

Dinner: A traditional four-course Irish Dinner will be served. Vegetarian and other special diets may be arranged if pre-booked with the Congress Registration Department.

Drinks: A choice of red or white wine will be provided on table and any bottles that are empty will be replaced as long as stocks last! Alternative soft drinks will be available on request.

A cash bar will be available in the Grand Ballroom during and after the Dinner.

Awards Ceremony: The Best Paper Awards will be announced and presented in stages, between the courses of the Dinner. There will be nine Best in Track Awards and five Special Awards. All nominees will be notified in advance but the actual winners will not be made known until the envelopes are opened!

ISBC 2009 Brisbane: At the end of the Awards Ceremony a short video on the attractions of Brisbane, Australia will be presented by the ISBC 2009 Congress Committee chaired by Tony Stevens, CEO of the Council of Small Business of Australia. See www.cosboa.org.au 

Ceilidh: A traditional Irish Ceilidh will follow with the Blackthorn Band and a caller who will help everyone join in the traditional Irish dancing. For more details see www.blackthorn.irishhome.net 

Belfast based Blackthorn are the North of Ireland’s most handsome and successful Folk Group who have been enthralling audiences for more than 30 years and are still pulling them in.

Blackthorn pride themselves on being able to entertain any audience, no matter what age range or musical taste. “The Boys” generate an infectious energy on stage that spreads to the audience and a good time is had by all. As one well known hack once put it – “the Blackthorn show is just one BIG HOOLEY”

Quiet Bars: After the Dinner quiet areas for networking will be available in the Piano Bar

on the first floor at the front of the Hotel and in the Library Bar on the mezzanine level at

the rear of the Hotel. (subject to demand)

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ISBC 2008 Congress Secretariat, PO Box 288, Dept NC805, Harrogate, HG1 9AX, UK

Tel: +44(0)1423 879208  Fax: +44(0)1423 870025 E-mail: info@isbc2008.org  Website: www.isbc2008.org